In a shocking turn of events, a heavily armed man was found dead at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Colorado, apparently taking his own life instead of carrying out a planned attack on the popular amusement park. The body of Diego Barajas Medina, 20, was discovered in a women's bathroom by park maintenance crew members on Saturday morning, prior to the park opening to the public.

Garfield County Coroner Robert Glassmire confirmed that Medina died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The circumstances surrounding his death have sent shockwaves through the community, prompting authorities to investigate further.

Medina had entered the amusement park while it was closed, armed with a AR-style rifle, a semi-automatic handgun, and a cache of explosive devices. He was also dressed in tactical clothing and had body armor, resembling the attire of a police SWAT team member.

The bathroom where Medina's body was found had a chilling message scrawled on the wall: "I am not a killer, I just wanted to get into the caves." Alongside the message, a handgun and a combination of real and fake explosives were discovered. An AR-style rifle was also found on a nearby counter, along with multiple ammunition magazines.

Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario cautioned that it was unclear whether Medina had written the message. Law enforcement agencies are now conducting a comprehensive investigation, which includes reviewing Medina's phone records and social media activity with assistance from the FBI.

Sheriff Vallario expressed concern over the arsenal of weapons and explosives found on Medina, suggesting his intentions were likely to cause harm to the community. The fact that Medina chose to end his own life instead is seen as a fortunate turn of events.

Authorities discovered multiple improvised explosive devices in Medina's vehicle, but a thorough search of the amusement park did not yield any additional explosives. The potential scale of tragedy averted is heightened by the understanding that the park would have been bustling with visitors during the fall season.

Diego Barajas Medina hailed from Carbondale, a nearby town, and resided with his mother and brother. Despite combing through his room, law enforcement found no evidence indicating any involvement in bomb-making or explosives. Medina had no prior criminal record or encounters with the police.

The weapons carried by Medina were ghost guns, lacking serial numbers that would enable traceability. Furthermore, his clothing bore patches and emblems that gave the false impression of his affiliation with law enforcement.

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, situated on a mountain above the Colorado River, attracts numerous visitors seeking cave tours and thrilling rides. Park officials emphasized that no employees or visitors were present when Medina gained access to restricted areas. Glenwood Caverns General Manager Nancy Heard expressed sadness over the incident and extended sympathies to the community.

As investigations continue, authorities are piecing together Medina's motive and any possible warning signs that went unnoticed prior to the incident. The incident serves as a solemn reminder of the importance of community vigilance and the potential consequences that can be averted through timely intervention.

The community of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, is left shaken by the incident, grappling with the realization of how close they were to a potentially devastating tragedy.